2023 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
When Geena (Erin Moriarty) finally decides to leave her husband Clyde (Jai Courtney) her plans are thwarted when a vacationing couple from New York arrives at their isolated Texas home. As the two couples begin to get to know one another more and more (probably more than they should) secrets rise to the surface and things believed to be history come back again. Now everyone is worried that they will soon be buried beneath six feet of dust, but Catching Dusk might be the only way out.
The symbolism used throughout the course of Catching Dust is the most appealing aspect of the entire film. It’s powerful, steeped in incredible meaning that transcends the entirety of the film. These instances act as a way for viewers to peer into the soul of the film, to feel it and understand it in a way that just isn’t possible without them. A small reference to William Shakespeare’s Macbeth or a turtle that’s been tipped over–these things seem insignificant on their own, seemingly having no bearing whatsoever on the film, but they are placed perfectly throughout the course of Catching Dust, and they provide so much context and they mean so much to the film. This is a sign of stellar writing, of truly knowing how to strengthen your narrative and to make your film better as a whole. Writer-Director Stuart Gatt knows exactly what he’s doing, and he takes every single opportunity to make his film better.
The decision to have the entirety of Catching Dust take place in the desert, in the dry desolate space away from civilization, is perfect. This is a symbol of what the film is meant to represent, of what it’s meant to tell its viewers. The story present in Catching Dust can’t have the same amount of meaning, it can barely even survive, if it doesn’t physically exist where it does. The barren Texas desert brings to life pain and suffering–but it also allows this story to come to life in a way that bulky buildings or beauty of any kind could not have. Decision after decision made by Gatt makes Catching Dust better, stronger, more important–and there are times when it seems that he just can’t miss.
The only times in which Catching Dusk struggles at the hands of Gatt are in moments of narrative convolution. Some pieces of the film become intertwined in ways that see the film struggle to make sense. These instances are few and far between, and in the grand scheme of the film they don’t have much bearing–but they exist nonetheless, and they are somewhat troublesome.
Catching Dust sees some brilliant acting, but it also sees some struggles in this regard. The fact of the matter is that this is some of the best acting that I’ve even seen from Courtney and Moriarty. Never do they fail to exude emotion or to raise the level of uncomfortability that is needed to drive the film forward. They ultimately end up being the heart and soul of Catching Dust, and their counterparts clearly possess some acting prowess as well–but Dina Shihabi (Amaya) and Ryan Corr (Andy) struggle from time to time with their accents. Every once in a while their accents slip through, effectively altering their characters in the moment and stealing from the film to a degree. All four actors are impeccably talented, and while Corr and Shihabi sometimes falter, Moriarty and Courtney are perfect from start to finish.
Catching Dust plays with horror and drama throughout its entirety, and it constantly finds new ways to appeal to viewers. Courtney and Moriarty drive forward a film full of emotion and passion, one that was brought to life by Gatt in a number of stellar ways. Catching Dust finds meaning in its use of symbolism and in its setting–and as the film moves forward, it appeals more and more to viewers along the way. While there are some minor issues with the narrative, this feels like one of the more complete films that I’ve seen in a long time.
Written & Directed by Stuart Gatt.
Starring Erin Moriarty, Jai Courtney, Dina Shihabi, Ryan Corr, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
Commentaires